Electric A/C system kits for classic cars are now available. They work using an electric powered compressor and the system also contains an evaporator, a condenser and the lines. Most of these systems are under the dash units that may require some creative fitting but the advantage is that no belts or pulleys are required. If you run an alternator capable of 105 amps or more this installation should work. The electric system seems like an easy system to install as you're not running pulleys to run the compressor off of the engine crankshaft. While I run the traditional GM air conditioning systems on my Fieros this new technology seems very interesting especially on Pontiac Fieros that never had factory AC .
My plan for the last 30 years was to retire and then move up to Weaverville....small town in N. Ca, and build a house I designed- but now I have Lupus so can't be exposed to sunlight, and the temps in Weaverville used to be 90-105 for the whole summer- now it is usually 100-115......So, obviously, I can't move up there.
My plan for my >>Non-AC<< 85 SE V6 Fiero was to install an AC system- but go with one of the new electric-powered compressors so the compressor could be mounted up front A) No lines running fore and aft, and B) Better weight distribution....
My plan for the last 30 years was to retire and then move up to Weaverville....small town in N. Ca, and build a house I designed- but now I have Lupus so can't be exposed to sunlight, and the temps in Weaverville used to be 90-105 for the whole summer- now it is usually 100-115......So, obviously, I can't move up there.
My plan for my >>Non-AC<< 85 SE V6 Fiero was to install an AC system- but go with one of the new electric-powered compressors so the compressor could be mounted up front A) No lines running fore and aft, and B) Better weight distribution....
Sounds like a no-brainer if you have a front mounted battery.
Those 12V A/C vehicle A/C systems are all over eBay for about $425 complete, . Links are too long to snip and paste here. This is an excellent economic solution to add A/C to Fieros that never had A/C. The only thing extra that may be needed is a higher output alternator.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
[This message has been edited by Dennis LaGrua (edited 07-07-2025).]
I don't know much about A/C. What do those ones have that this $100 unitdoesn't have? Seems like an amazing price if it actually works!
This item is just a conventional (not electric) aftermarket A/C evaporator. To get this working you would need to add a half dozen extra parts that includes a compressor., mounting brackets, accumulator, pulleys, hoses, condenser, fan etc.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
Electric A/C system kits for classic cars are now available. They work using an electric powered compressor and the system also contains an evaporator, a condenser and the lines. Most of these systems are under the dash units that may require some creative fitting but the advantage is that no belts or pulleys are required. If you run an alternator capable of 105 amps or more this installation should work. The electric system seems like an easy system to install as you're not running pulleys to run the compressor off of the engine crankshaft. While I run the traditional GM air conditioning systems on my Fieros this new technology seems very interesting especially on Pontiac Fieros that never had factory AC .
I guess that makes perfect sense. I was driving a 4xe Jeep Cherokee something or other a couple of weeks ago, and with the engine off, the air conditioning was still working. With all these electric cars out there now, it would make perfect sense that these kinds of systems would be available. Are there any in particular that you've been looking at? Where are you seeing them for sale?
Originally posted by 82-T/A [At Work]: I guess that makes perfect sense. I was driving a 4xe Jeep Cherokee something or other a couple of weeks ago, and with the engine off, the air conditioning was still working. With all these electric cars out there now, it would make perfect sense that these kinds of systems would be available. Are there any in particular that you've been looking at? Where are you seeing them for sale?
There is a a whole bunch of the electric A/C units on eBay. IIRC AJ's Fiero might not have A/C. Such being the case an electric A/C unit may make sense. You may have to remove the heater A/C box to get it in but in Florida the heater is little used,
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
This item is just a conventional (not electric) aftermarket A/C evaporator. To get this working you would need to add a half dozen extra parts that includes a compressor., mounting brackets, accumulator, pulleys, hoses, condenser, fan etc.
Ah, I understand. Okay, how about This kit for $395 then? Still a great price for adding A/C... if it works!
Ah, I understand. Okay, how about This kit for $395 then? Still a great price for adding A/C... if it works!
That is an electric A/C kit for a car. The EV industry already uses these type of auto A/C units and they work. It would seem that they could be used on a Fiero with a larger alternator. The average rating of these is aound18,000 BTU's and that should be enough to keep a 2 seat vehicle pretty cold.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
Ah, I understand. Okay, how about This kit for $395 then? Still a great price for adding A/C... if it works!
That is an electric A/C kit for a car. The EV industry already uses these type of auto A/C units and they work. It would seem that they could be used on a Fiero with a larger alternator. The average rating of these is aound18,000 BTU's and that should be enough to keep a 2 seat vehicle pretty cold.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
An electric a/c compressor option for rear-mid engine cars is fantastic. The Fiero has metal tubing running front to back, but many rear-mid engine cars don't. Hoses leak over time. The whole system is so much less compact on a rear-mid engine car.
As I understand it, an a/c compressor needs about 70 amps at 12 volts for every 1 horsepower of its power requirement. I believe (I'm not sure) a conventional mechanical belt-driven a/c compressor uses about 3 hp.
Definitely the way to do it would be to run a second alternator where the a/c compressor used to be.
Hopefully, my power requirement calculation above is incorrect and the amperage needed is much less than I claim.
An electric a/c compressor option for rear-mid engine cars is fantastic. The Fiero has metal tubing running front to back, but many rear-mid engine cars don't. Hoses leak over time. The whole system is so much less compact on a rear-mid engine car.
As I understand it, an a/c compressor needs about 70 amps at 12 volts for every 1 horsepower of its power requirement. I believe (I'm not sure) a conventional mechanical belt-driven a/c compressor uses about 3 hp.
Definitely the way to do it would be to run a second alternator where the a/c compressor used to be.
Hopefully, my power requirement calculation above is incorrect and the amperage needed is much less than I claim.
Putting in a secondary alternator may not be necessary and creates more work. You can purchase alternators like the OEG, Powermaster (and others) that can put out 250 amps and just replace the OEM unit. Guys running high power stereo systems do that. Many of these alternators can be found on Amazon for less than $125.
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
Ah, I understand. Okay, how about This kit for $395 then? Still a great price for adding A/C... if it works!
This looks absolutely perfect for something like my Volkswagen Bus, which I'll never use the heat for (totally side from the fact that it takes hot air that it runs past the exhaust manifolds and cyl heads), but I can re-use all of the ducts already in the dash for A/C... this is absolutely perfect!
Putting in a secondary alternator may not be necessary and creates more work. You can purchase alternators like the OEG, Powermaster (and others) that can put out 250 amps and just replace the OEM unit. Guys running high power stereo systems do that. Many of these alternators can be found on Amazon for less than $125.
A question about alternators:
Does the load on the engine change depending on how much electrical power the alternator needs to put out? In other words, if I have my lights on, stereo blasting and my electric a/c compressor pumping away, is the alternator harder to spin than when there no load on it? Asking a third way, is a 250-amp alternator more of a hp drain on the engine than a small alternator when there is no demand for electricity?
Does the load on the engine change depending on how much electrical power the alternator needs to put out? In other words, if I have my lights on, stereo blasting and my electric a/c compressor pumping away, is the alternator harder to spin than when there no load on it? Asking a third way, is a 250-amp alternator more of a hp drain on the engine than a small alternator when there is no demand for electricity?
To come up with an answer many factors have to be considered; The size of the battery the load being drawn and the efficiency of the alternator. If you are using a 250 amp alternator you will typically be drawing only a portion of the rated output. Certainly high loads on the alternator will cause it to use more engine power but driving a traditional AC compressor will as well. All energy needs a source. There is no need for concern here; if you need to keep cool no matter the approach you would have to provide the energy to do that
------------------ " THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite. "THE COLUSSUS" 87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H " ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "
To come up with an answer many factors have to be considered; The size of the battery the load being drawn and the efficiency of the alternator. If you are using a 250 amp alternator you will typically be drawing only a portion of the rated output. Certainly high loads on the alternator will cause it to use more engine power but driving a traditional AC compressor will as well. All energy needs a source. There is no need for concern here; if you need to keep cool no matter the approach you would have to provide the energy to do that
You've implicitly answered my question, so thank you.
I was wondering most of all about the opposite of what you describe. That is, with all things being equal (say, a low electrical demand by the car), does a big alternator cause more of a "drag" on the engine than a small alternator when it is not running at full amperage capacity. It sounds like, all things (electrical demand) being equal, the engine wouldn't "notice" whether it was spinning a large alternator or a small one.
